As a professor, Dr. Frates was enigmatic, inspirational, and
demanding. At times, we had no idea what he had in mind or how
to respond to his queries and comments. He was the teacher, the
guidance counselor, and the prefect of discipline all wrapped
up in one. However, he was also the concerned parent, the loving
father who was an inspiration to all who have had the good fortune
to know him. Today, the Coach, an active octogenarian, is living
in San Diego, Calif. Nonetheless, his spirit still permeates
the halls of NJDS. He was - and still is - a wonder.

Drs. Alan Vella ('61) and Mimi Vella ('63) have kept in touch
with the Coach over the years and recently visited him at his
home. The Beacon is pleased to share the Coach's story, derived
from his conversations with the Vellas and old newspaper clippings,
as a two-part article.

Captain Frank E. Frates, Jr. (U.S. Navy, Ret.) began a lifelong
love of the sea as a 6-year-old living in Hawaii. At 16, living
in sight of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, he went to sea
with the Merchant Marine. He served as a cadet officer on the
USS President Monroe. During his tenure with the Merchant Marine,
young Frank spent some months in the Shanghai shipping office
along with his sea duty. Coincidentally, the ship owner he served
under had been a patient of his father's, a physician and director
and chief of surgery at Queens Hospital in San Francisco. "I
matured with the sea as my master during those years with the
Merchant Marine," recalls the Coach. "A number of years
later I attended the College of Physicians and Surgeons (now
the University of the Pacific) and earned my dental degree in
1933."

After graduation, the young Dr. Frates joined the U.S. Navy
to become reacquainted with the sea. "In 1936, I participated
in a 10-day nationwide examination with 947 candidates. The exam
consisted of a three-day physical along with written tests in
all the sciences and practical exams in gold foil and amalgam
restorations.

Harris Silverstein would have loved my gold foil," says
the Coach. "In addition, there was an oral exam on world
affairs. I was one of 12 dentists who received commissions at
the completion of these examinations."

His military career brought Dr. Frates throughout the Pacific,
where among other duties, he served as head of the Naval Dental
Unit and director of the Enlisted and Intern Training at the
Naval Dental School, part of the National Naval Medical Center
in Washington, D.C.
In the fall of 1941, the Coach served on board the USS Vestal,
which was moored at an island in the Pacific Ocean. It was adjacent
to another ship but separated by two "camels"-six-foot-wide
wooden rafts that kept the hulls from colliding with each other.
The other ship was the USS Arizona. The island was Hawaii, and
the date was December 7, 1941.
"Early in the morning, general quarters were sounded,"
says the Coach. "'This is not a drill. I repeat, this is
not a drill. We are under attack,' the speakers blared. The message
was broadcast from every ship and the harbormaster's tower. Amazingly,
there was no chaos or confusion, just shouts exhorting each other
to get those !/?!?/!."

Lieutenant Frates was commended by the chief of the Bureau
of Medicine and Surgery for outstanding service as a dental officer
during and subsequent to the enemy attack. He had substituted
for the absent medical officer, providing treatment for the many
wounded. "The chaos of trying to save the injured is still
vivid in my mind," recalls Dr. Frates. "It was a horrifying
yet awe-inspiring experience."
Dr. Frates was also commended by the commanding general, Fourth
Marine Division, for meritorious service as division dental officer
from June 14, 1945 to October 6, 1945.

At another time during Dr. Frates's naval career, the State
Department sent him and two other officers to Argentina for one
month as advisors. Says the Coach, "On our return, we were
summoned to the White House by President Truman, who congratulated
us on our trip and read a letter from the Argentinean ambassador."
An excerpt from the letter stated, "In one month, these
officers did more for our country than my entire staff did in
one year."

Dr. Frates's story, including highlights of his years at NJDS,
will appear in the Fall issue of the Beacon.

*Editor's Note: The students who matriculated at New Jersey
Dental School and its predecessor, Seton Hall College of Medicine
and Dentistry, from 1956-1970 experienced firsthand the care
and guidance of "the Coach," Dr. Frank E. Frates, Jr.
Those who passed through NJDS after "Fearless Frank"
retired have heard all the stories about this legendary professor.
His title was Director of Clinics, but he was the de facto leader
of the institution.